Dhaka will remember Draupadi

Theatre troupe Kalakshetra from Manipur, India staged their much-acclaimed production "Draupadi" at the National Theatre Hall of Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy. The show was held as part of 2nd Dhaka International Theatre Fest on Friday evening.

The play has been directed by noted thespian Heisnam Kanhailal based on Mahasweta Devi's story about the marginalised people living in the far-flung hilly regions of India.

"Draupadi" depicts a striking tale of neglected humanity and how indigenous women in the Indian state of Manipur are subjected to sexual harassment at the hands of the military. 

The one-hour piece was bold enough to strike the audience with its dramatic representation of gruesome reality. It's a tale of rebellion by the protagonist named Draupadi, a Santhal woman. Failing to bear the agonies of being gang-raped by army personnel, she finally opens her mouth and protests the injustice that had been done to them.

The play inspired by a true story that tremendously moved Kanhailal and his wife Sabitri, who play the elderly Draupadi in the play. However, the play was not welcomed in his state Manipur as a certain class of society thought women should keep their mouth shut to keep chastity.

In the play, Draupadi represents sexually oppressed women in general who have for long undergone this torture and could not say anything. Her silent cries bring tears to the audiences' eyes. The Dhaka audience could easily relate to the play as scores of women in this country also went through similar situations during the Liberation War in 1971.

Not only did the actors show their outstanding acting prowess on stage but the music -- produced in the backstage combining folk instruments -- was brilliant too.

The 10-day long biennial theatre festival came to end yesterday.